19 alcohol-related visits to ER during Unofficial Halloween

The Memorial Hospital of Carbondale’s Emergency Department saw a total of 19 alcohol related injuries this weekend, according to Southern Illinois Healthcare Communications Coordinator Rosslind Rice.

Of the 19, seven of the patients exhibited blood-alcohol levels, six of which were underage.

The hospital also saw 12 victims of assault, including wounds, lacerations, musculoskeletal injuries and fractures.

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Rice said these numbers are preliminary and the count could be higher as it is hard to categorize the injuries as a result from Unofficial Halloween.

“We always have to have extra staff … doctors and additional nurses to handle the load,” Rice said. “We have to [prepare beforehand]. Our volumes are already high; it’s an emergency room, but when you have risk of such, you have to plan ahead.”

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